[fushigi]

This is unbelievable. There is now little doubt that Russian democracy - if the country ever had it - is a thing of the past. These new restrictions on its largest independent radio station are nothing short of devastating.

This is also very bad news for global security.

Story.

At their first meeting with journalists since taking over Russia's largest independent radio news network, the incoming managers had some startling news of their own: From now on, at least 50 percent of the reports about Russia must be "positive." In addition, opposition leaders cannot be mentioned on the air and the United States is to be portrayed as an enemy, journalists employed by the network, Russian News Service, say they were told. How would they know what constituted positive news? "When we talk of death, violence or poverty, for example, this is not positive," said an editor still working at the station, who did not want to be identified for fear of retribution. "If the stock market is up, that is positive. The weather can also be positive." <snip> The three national television networks are already state controlled, though small circulation newspapers generally remain independent. Just this month, a bank loyal to the president tightened its control of an independent television station and Parliament passed a new amendment to a law banning "extremism" in the media. Prosecutors are now going after individuals who post critical comments on Web chat rooms, and Parliament is considering extending state control to Internet sites that report news, reflecting the growing importance of the Internet as the country becomes more affluent and growing numbers of middle class Russians acquire computers.

And the Bush administration says nothing.

Defending freedom my ass.